During her career with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which spanned nearly three and a half decades, Betty Anderson went through a number of manual and electric typewriters before computers came along.

"I'd say that's a very true statement," said Ms. Anderson, who retired from the GBI Region 7 Office in Thomson back in 2006. After taking off a few months following retirement, she returned to the office where she had been working as a part-time state employee until recently.

Ms. Anderson admitted she wishes she had been able to continue working there on a part-time basis.

"I wished it had worked out so that I could have still worked part-time," said Ms. Anderson. "It was just one of those unfortunate things."

Her part-time job status played out due to recent budget cuts made by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Prior to her original retirement date, Ms. Anderson worked as an investigative assistant. When she returned as a part-time employee, she performed clerical services tasks.

"Betty has been part of our family at the GBI for a long, long time and we're certainly going to miss her," said Gary Nicholson, special agent in-charge of the GBI Region 7 Office in Thomson. "She is an exceptional person and one who far exceeded in her job. It's not going to be the same around here without Betty. She was one of the most dedicated employees to the GBI that I have ever known. I felt very lucky to have had her here at this office, especially when I came here as the special agent in-charge."

Agent Nicholson said Ms. Anderson assisted him when he first arrived, as they looked over unsolved homicide cases. "I needed her help, because she was around when those murders occurred," said Agent Nicholson. "She was a tremendous asset to this office and an exceptional employee, who exceeded the benchmark every time she was ever evaluated. There are not many people who could say that they exceeded on the job every single time they were ever evaluated."

In her nearly 35 years with the GBI, Ms. Anderson witnessed many changes and a host of emotional ups and downs - some of which included the deaths of GBI agents. Overall, though, she said her years with the GBI "were just wonderful. It was a job that I always loved."

Her job always demanded much from her and, like most jobs, the stress level was high.

Nevertheless, though, Ms. Anderson said she always approached everyday with a renewed attitude and worked diligently to get the job done to the best of her ability.

Ms. Anderson, a 1970 graduate of Thomson High School, began her career with the GBI on Jan. 16, 1974, under C.W. "Red" Herndon, who then headed the local state law enforcement agency office.

"It was a brand new building back then," said Ms. Anderson. "We didn't even have any furniture and had to end up borrowing some from the state patrol office next door."

She said one of the most pleasant and satisfying aspects of her job during all those years was being fortunate to work with so many nice people.

"All of the special people I worked with for so many years made it nice to go to work everyday," said Ms. Anderson. "I can't tell you what those special people have meant to me over the years. I consider many of them close friends."

Since leaving her position with the GBI, Ms. Anderson has undergone some surgery and is now recovering nicely at home.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading books of mystery, written by Mary H. Clark. After recuperation from surgery, she plans to find a new job.

"Work is all I've ever known," said Ms. Anderson. "I think I still have a few more years that I can give to another job."